THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH AT CALDWELL

 

Our Purpose:

To help all people build life-transforming relationships with God and each other.

 

The members and friends of FPC welcome people from all backgrounds - -  people of faith from throughout the world, people who profess no faith,  Christians of all denominations and those who are searching for religious and spiritual meaning.

Welcome!

 

September 8th, 2019

9:30AM

13th Sunday after Pentecost

 

GATHERING

 

REFLECTION

Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  And these words which I command you this day will be upon your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

 

PRELUDE

“Now Thank We All Our God”

arr. Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

We gather as the family of God,

bound together in the body of Christ.

We gather as the children of God,

called together in the presence of the Spirit.

We gather this day to worship God

and join our lives in the life of the church.

 

 OPENING PRAYER

 

*HYMN NO. 487

“These Treasured Children”

Puer Nobis Nascitur

Serving as Acolyte today is Will Capizzi

On this “Back to Sunday School Sunday,” our opening hymn emphasizes the covenantal dimensions of baptism, including the worshiping community’s commitment to acquaint children with salvation history and to learn from their humble trust. 

 

CONFESSION CORPORATE CONFESSION

We try to be so careful, Faithful God, yet we make so many mistakes. We think we are so wise, yet do not understand the simple wonder of a child. We spend so little time in your presence, and ask why we do not know your dreams for us. We long to be good, upright people, but find our hearts tripping over the temptations of the world. Have mercy, and be gracious to us. As you continue to teach us of your hopes, your dreams, your love for us, may we practice what we learn, as we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in faith.

 

PERSONAL CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

 

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

...Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. 

 

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE NO. 626 

“As the Deer”

As the Deer

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you. 

 

PROCLAIMING AND RESPONDING

 

ACOLYTE RECOGNITION

The use of Acolytes during worship has a long history in the church. They perform the very important function of bringing the light of God into the sanctuary at the beginning of the each worship service and carry the light of God out into the world at the end of each service. We've been blessed to have a wonderful group of students here at First Pres who have served as acolytes over the past years and would like to recognize our recent graduates of the program and thank them for their years of faithful service:

 

Daniel Barnes, Sally Capizzi, William Capizzi, Kaci Pace, Charlotte Popat and Nathaniel Popat 

 

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN                    Please note: Children through 7th grade may leave the sanctuary for Sunday School following the Time with the Children. Please exit through the doors on either side of the Choir loft. 

 

COMMISSIONING OF SUNDAY SCHOOL/CHRISTIAN EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS

 

PARISH LIFE

Members, friends and visitors, please sign the Friendship Pad in each pew and pass it to the person next to you. Worshipers are invited to use the cards in the pew racks for prayer requests so we may share one another’s joys and concerns. The ushers will collect the cards during the hymn following the sermon and they will be offered during the Prayers of the People.

 

MINUTE FOR MINISTRY

Mission Fair

Ellen Johnson

 

SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 1:1-7

Page 199, NT 

 

SERMON

“An Inherited Faith”

Dr. Sommers

 

*HYMN NO. 324

“For All the Faithful Women”

Nyland

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

OFFERING

OFFERTORY

“With a Voice of Singing”

Martin Shaw

Chancel Choir 

 

*RESPONSE OF THANKSGIVING NO. 607          Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”                 Old Hundredth

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

GOING FORTH

 

*HYMN NO. 546

“Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”

Sicilian Mariners

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*CHORAL BENEDICTION RESPONSE

“May the Road Rise to Meet You”

John Horman

Chancel Choir

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

 

Please exchange greetings of welcome and peace with your neighbor.

 

*Please rise in body or in spirit

 

†We are glad you have chosen to worship here today! Please come again!

 

†For more information about our church, please visit our website: www.firstprescaldwell.org. An information packet is available at the rear of the sanctuary and an Usher or one of the Greeters that you met as you came in will be glad to provide you with more information.

 

† The flowers this morning, are given to the glory of God…                … In memory of Ruth M. Kaup (birthday 9/10) by Ed Kaup.

 

†You are respectfully requested to silence all cell phones. Our church is equipped with a hearing assistance system. Please ask the usher for a receiver.

 

† Your prayers of intercession are requested for those members and friends known to be currently or recently hospitalized or who continue to need our prayers and support:

 ...Maggie Bischoff, Alice Brackmann, Harry Coppens, Ray Corbin, Jay Courter, Catherine Fleming, Neil Garland, Sandra Harvey, Bill Hayden, Christopher Kerwin, Edna Lawshe, Dottie Leonard, Marge Lucas, Thelma Mitchell, Kara Nancoz, Kaye Prasad, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Richard Rose, Barbara Romaine, Bob Scarrillo, Debbie Wefferling, Laura Winter and Helena Wispelwey.

 

The church office will be happy to verify their home  addresses for you should you wish to send them  words of encouragement or get well wishes.   STEPHEN MINISTERS are confidential caregivers available in times of need.   For more information about Stephen Ministry call 973-228-0310  Ext. 235.